New Italy coach Nick Mallett believes his side can follow in Argentina's footsteps and go as far as the semi-finals of the next World Cup.

Mallett says that Italy have the raw ingredients to put up a real challenge at the World Cup, and emulate Argentina's achievements in France this year.

51-year-old Mallett led South Africa to the semi-finals of the 1999 World Cup, which included a huge 101-0 demolition of Italy, but he believes his new side can become a force.

"There is no reason why Italy cannot produce a performance similar to that of Argentina in the last World Cup (Argentina beat France in the third place play-off)," said Mallett.

The England-born South African coach says he hopes to use as many Italian-born players as possible, but will select foreign-born stars if they improve his side.

"In my first three months here I am going to get to know the Italian players, and to appreciate their qualities," said Mallett, who was born in England but moved to South Africa with his parents when he was seven.

"I want also to travel round the country to see the teams play competitively, because I believe it is better to look for the players in Italy.

"To select a foreign born player can only be a good thing if it can improve the team, but an Italian can also do that."

Mallett says youth is the key to his future success, saying he will be starting to build towards the next World Cup.

"It will obviously be difficult to get younger players ready in time for the Six Nations (which begins in February).

"It is very difficult for someone aged 20 to play in the tournament, but on the other hand it is possible for him to play in the next World Cup.

"Thus from now for four years up to the World Cup, we are going to try and work on improving players aged under 21 both technically and physically."

Italy have been improving in the Six Nations, with two wins in the tournament last year under former coach Pierre Berbizier, including an away win in Scotland.

Mallett says they can only keep improving in the competition, and he pinpoints the half-back partnership as key to any success.

"The team is on an upward curve," he added Mallett "They had some great results in the last Six Nations.

"However, I think I can bring something extra to the team. This season the tournament will be difficult. The match against England will be a huge challenge for us.

"But last season, we won twice, and this time we are going to try and beat every team that we face, whoever they may be.

"The best teams at the World Cup, those who made the semi-finals, had a really good halfback partnership and excellent kickers, and that is something we must take a look at."

"I am going to learn Italian. The quicker the better, because it will be difficult to coach in a language that one doesn't speak very well."

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